Chief Justice Appoints Two to Big Island District Family Court Bench

District Family Court of the 3rd Circuit on the Big Island will have two new judges, if confirmed, following their appointment to the bench by Hawai‘i Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald.

Jill M. Hasegawa was appointed to replace Judge Mahilani Hiatt, who retired. Hasegawa is currently employed with Raymond K. Hasegawa, AAL, ALC, and serves as a per diem judge in the District and District Family Courts of the 3rd Circuit. She was previously employed by Ashford & Wriston LLP from 2004-17 and is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law. Hasegawa was admitted to the Hawai‘i State Bar in 2004.

Throughout her career, she has served on numerous legal and community organizations, including the Hawai‘i State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, William S. Richardson School of Law Alumni Association, University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association and serving as president of the Hawai‘i Women’s Legal Foundation.

Joanna E. Sokolow was appointed to replace Judge Wendy DeWeese, who was appointed to the Circuit Court bench. Sokolow is currently employed with Sokolow & Gibson LLP and serves as a per diem judge in District Family Court. She was previously employed by the Children’s Law Project from 2019-21, the Office of the Public Defender from 2015-19 and Legal Aid Society of Hawai’i from 2006-15. She is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and was admitted to the Hawai‘i State Bar in 2006.

Throughout her career, Sokolow has also been active in numerous legal and community organizations, including the Access to Justice Commission, Hawai‘i State Bar Association and West Hawai‘i Bar Association, among others.

Recktenwald made his appointments from a nomination list presented to him in April by the Judicial Selection Commission. Both appointments are subject to state Senate confirmation.